When I decided to do remodel and update work on older houses, I decided I needed flex bits. So I bought a 3 foot and a 6 foot model. I figured I didn't need the steering guide.

My wife has been after me to install a receptacle outlet in the wall next to the bed for the night stand. I decided to try out the long bit. I cut the hole in the drywall on the outside wall. I went into the basement and pulled the insulation out of the box end between the floor joists where I figured the drill would penetrate into the basement. With my wife watching, I drilled the hole. Everything felt right. The drill went through a couple inches and then dropped about a foot and stopped. I went into the basement to connect the romex to the hole in the bit for pulling back to the receptacle box hole. No bit. Looked in adjacent joist spaces. No bit. Went upstairs and pulled the bit up and let it fall back down. Clunk it went. So just for the heck of it I went out the back door. There was the bit. I managed to drill through my fairly new vinyl siding and the bit struck the frozen ground outside the house.

I told my wife it was good to practice on our house, and not to do that to a customers house. I went back on line and ordered the steering guide I didn't need.

I sharpen mine on a grinding wheel like any other high speed steel drill bit. The ones I bought have no problem drilling nails without dulling.

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I have to say that the flexible bit I bought is one of the best investments I have ever made. You can drill through both the top plate and the bottom plate, and you can also go sideways through the studs. It also comes with a chinese finger that you can use to pull wire back out with it if you need to. I do think mine is getting dull though, I have used the heck out of it, and have caught a number of nails I am sure.

I used the flex bits several years ago but gave up on them. It only takes a second to drill blindly into something important.

They have their uses but can do some serious damage.

That is true, although it takes the same amount of time to drill blindly into something important without one too. Common sense is what you need, if you need to cut a hole, then do it. Obviously you need to inspect your drilling destination if possible. Drilling through a top plate and expecting to fish a wire over to the light is not realistic. You need to cut a hole in the ceiling to grab the wire and pull it through. With that you can see what is in there. These things have their uses, but you need to take care. I suppose that using it horizontally is a bit dangerous, but if you have access to the basement, and the attic, and there is nothing coming through, I would say that is safe, and would not do an all out demo just to say that you didn't want to take a chance on hitting a water line or something. Don't cut corners, and be sure of your destination, take the time to know what you are dealing with. That is all you need to do.